Multicontact relay



J. N. REYNOLDS EULTICONTACT RELAY April 15, 1941.

Filed Aug. 11, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR John N fieyno/ds BY ATTO RNEYS April 1941- J. N. REYNOLDS MULTICGNTACT RELAY Filed Aug. 11, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rt &

. INVENTOR Jo/m M Reyna/4s ATTORNEYS April 15, 1941. J. N. REYNOLDS MULTICONTACT RELAYv Filed Aug. 11, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR J0/7/7 N. Reyna/d5 BY ATTO R N EYS Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTICONTACT RELAY John N. Reynolds, Princeton, N. J.

Application August 11, 1939, Serial No. 289,534

14 Claims.

This invention relates to relay devices which are adapted for making and breaking electrical circuits, and more especially circuits used in connection with telephone Work. The subject matter of the present invention is in the nature of an improvement on the invention disclosed in my earlier filed application Serial No. 280,777, filed June 23, 1939. In said application a relay is disclosed in which a plurality of movable contact springs are actuated by a rotatable actuating plate which in turn is actuated by the arma ture of a two pole magnet. The movable contact springs cooperate with fixed contact springs which are supported in stationary positions to make or break circuits or to transfer circuits.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a relay of the type described in which neither set of contact springs is stationary but both sets are movable toward and away from each other, so that each set has to move over only approximately one half of the total distance in order to efiect the desired closure or opening of the circuits. In further pursuance of this object, each set of contact springs is actuated by a separate, rotatable actuating member or plate, these actuating plates being so arranged that they are rotated in opposite directions by an electro-magnetic device having a single energizing coil.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for rotating the contact spring actuating plates in opposite directions. In one preferred construction this means comprises an electro-magnet having a single armature which is so mounted and arranged as to effect rotation of the plates in opposite directions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for connecting the movable armature to one or more actuating plates which are made of moldable insulating material, this connecting means including one or more metal inserts which are molded into the actuating plate or plates, which serves to prevent the wearing away of the plate or plates at the point of connection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of contact spring actuating plates for rotatable movement and to support the plates solely by the contact springs, which eifect the closure, opening or transfer of the controlled circuits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting arrangement for the armature of an electro-magnet in which the necessity of the usual pivotal support for the armature is obviated and in which the armature is in engagement with one of the pole faces of the magnet and provides a point of support which is in alignment with the center of rotation of a contact spring actuating plate connected to the armature.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. For a better understanding of the invention, however, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front view of a multicontact relay device embodying the invention showing also a portion of a supporting panel adapted to support a plurality of the relays;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the relay shown in Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of one of the contact spring actuating plates in which a metallic insert is molded;

Fig. 4 is a front view of a relay device embodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front View of a relay similar to that of Fig. 1 showing a modified form of armature support and connection between the armature and actuating plates;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the relay shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a front view of a relay embodying a further modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal View, partly in section, of the relay shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the armature of the relay of Fig. 7 and a portion of the magnet which supports it;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of an armature and the support of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view from the left of Fig. 10 of the armature support;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a relay showing another modified form of the invention, the contact springs being omitted;

Fig. 13 is a front view of the relay shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a view of the magnet of Fig. 12 upon development into asingle plane; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing one set of the relay contact springs and portions of the base, back stop plate and contact spring actuating plate of the relay of Fig. 12.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the relay shown comprises a main supporting base I, preferably formed of molded insulating material such as Bakelite, Termite, or similar material in which the base portion 2 of a U-shaped magnet 3 is molded. This magnet comprises the cylindrical legs 4 and 5, which are disposed parallel to each other and are cut away at their front ends to provide the parallel faces 6, I, 8 and 9. Also molded in the base I are the rear end portions of the relay contact springs I and I I, which engage at their front ends .the contact spring actuating plates I2 and I3 respectively. At their upper ends the springs I0 have secured thereto the contacts I4, which are adapted to engage a pair of contacts I5, which are secured to the fingers I6 formed by slitting the forward ends of the contact springs l I, as indicated at IT.

Three of the contact springs I0, spaced 120 1 apart about the periphery of the plate I2, are provided with notches I8 adapted to snugly receive, and support the actuating plate I2. The remaining con-tact springs II] are seated in narrow slits I9 formed in the peripheral edge of the plate I2, whereby rotation of this plate causes the simultaneous actuation of all the contact springs Ill. The inner portions of the springs H] are cut away, as indicated in Fig. 2 at 20, so as to clear the actuating plate I3. Three of the contact springs II, spaced 120 apart, are provided With notches 2| near their front ends, which are adapted to receive and support the actuating plate I3. Plate I3 is also provided with a plurality of narrow slits 22 formed in its periphery, in which the springs I I are seated, whereby rotation of the plate l3 causes the simultaneous movement of the springs II.

For the purpose of actuating the contact springs, the magnet 3 is provided with an energizing coil 23, the ends of which are connected by a pair of leads 24, 25 to a pair of coil terminals 26, 21, which are also preferably molded in the base I. An inclined connecting plate 28 having a central portion 29 which is adapted to engage the magnet faces I and 9 is provided with off-set ends 30, 3|, as shown in Fig. 1. The ends 30 and 3| are similar, and each comprises a radially extending blade 32, which extends into a narrow slit 33, formed in the inner periphery of the actuating plate I2 or I3. An inwardly turned narrow finger 34, adapted .to be seated in a small aperture is formed in plates I2 and I3, the inner end of finger 34 being then bent over as indicated at 36, Fig. 1, to anchor blade 32 to the actuating plate. The connecting plate 28 is preferably formed as a stamping of non-magnetic material suchas German silver and is provided along its lower edge with an outwardlyturned flange 31, which serves to strengthen and stiffen it.

Secured centrally to the connecting plate 28 is a threaded screw 38 carrying a pair of adjustable nuts 39, between which is securely clamped the armature 40 which is in the form of a. rectangular bar. By adjustment of the nuts 39, the air-gap between armature 40 and the pole surfaces 6 and 8 may be adjusted to a desired amount.

Fig. 3 shows a contact spring actuating plate, such as I2, having a metal insert 4I molded therein, in which the bore 35a is formed and also the peripheral slit 33a. The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent wearing away of the insulation material, of which the plates I2 and I3 are formed, by providing a metallic connection between these plates and the connecting plate 28. The plates I2 and I3 are provided with large, centrally disposed circular apertures 42 and 43,

which serve to reduce the inertia of the e mmbers and also permit the passage therethrough of the connecting plate 28.

In the arrangement shown, thirty separate sets of contacts are provided, but it will be understood that a smaller or greater number may be employed in accordance with the number of circuits to be controlled. The actuating plates I2 and I3 are entirely supported for rotation by the series of contact springs Ill and II respectively, and these plates in turn support the armature 40. Base I is provided with oppositely disposed radially extending lugs 44 through which pass the securing screws 45 adapted to enter the threaded openings provided in a relay supporting panel 41, .the panel 4? being provided with a centrally disposed aperture 43, through which the rear ends of the contact springs I3 and II pass freely, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the operation of the relay, the passage of an energizing current through the coil 23 causes lines of magnetic force to pass through the magnet 3 and attract the armature 40 into engagement with the pole faces 6 and 3. A movement of the armature to the left in Fig. 1 is communicated through the screw 38 and connecting plate 28 to the actuating plates I2 and I3, causing plate I2 to rotate in a clockwise direction and plate I3 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction simultaneously. The contact springs I0 and I I are thereby moved or rotated through the same distance, the ends of the springs I0 rotating in a clockwise direction and the ends of the springs II rotating in counter-clockwise direction, thereby causing the simultaneous making, breaking or transfer of the circuits connected to the contact springs. Upon stoppage of the current through the coil 23, the resiliency of the contact springs causes the rotation of the actuating plates I2 and E3 in opposite directions and the return of the central portion 29 of plate 28 into engagement with the pole faces I and 9, as shown in Fig. 1. By adjustment of the nuts 33, the air gap between armature 4i! and the pole faces 6, 8 may be adjusted .to vary the extent of motion of the armature, and therefore the degree of rotation of the plates I2 and I3 to thereby control the extent of movement of the contact springs.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a form of relay generally similar to that'shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but in which the armature is differently mounted and connected to the actuating plates. In this modification the pole face 3a is provided with a pin 49 having an enlarged head 53 adapted to engage the outer face of the armature 5I, which is provided with an aperture 52 slightly larger than the pin 49. The armature 5| is also provided at a central portion with a narrow slot 53, into which extends the end portion 54 of a link 55, a pin 53 passing through the armature and the end of link 55 to provide a pivotal connection between these members. The opposite end of link 55 is reduced, as indicated at 51, and passes through a bore 58 in a connecting plate 59. The connecting plate 59 comprises a vertically disposed central portion 60 and inclined upper and lower ends BI, 62, the end 6| being provided with a rearwardly extending finger G3 and the end 62 with a forwardly extending finger 64. The fingers 63 and B4 are thus diametrically disposed and pass into the apertures 352) formed in the actuating plates I2a and I311.

The operation of this modification of the invention is substantially similar to that above described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The

passage of electricalcurrent through the magnet coil 23a causes the lower end of the armature to come into engagement with pole face 8a, thereby moving the connecting plate 59 toward the left, Fig. 5, and causing actuating plate 12a to rotate in a-clockwise direction and actuating plate l3a to rotate the same amount in a counter-clockwise direction. Upon the stoppage of the current through the coil 23a, the resiliency of the contact springs (not shown) causes the actuating plates and their associated parts to return to their initial position as shown in Fig. 5. The armature is prevented from working off the pin 49 by engagement of its outer face with the enlarged head 50.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the base 65 of the relay is provided with parallel end portions 66 and arcuate shaped upper and lower end portions Bl, the base being formed of moldable insulation material in which the contact springs Illa and Ha are molded, and in which is also molded the end of the magnet 68 having the parallel disposed rectangular shaped legs 69 and 10. The energizing coil H is mounted on the magnet leg and extends into an opening 12 provided in the front of the base 65. Also molded in base 65 are the contact terminals 26a and 21a which are connected to the ends of coil H by the leads 24a and 25a. The relay is preferably a tached to a main supporting panel 13 through the medium of the magnet 68, the panel being formed of metal and which is provided with similar openings 14, through which pass the rear ends of the contact springs lfla, Ha as shown in Fig. 8. The magnet is secured in position on panel 13 by the screw 75, which passes into a threaded opening 15, formed in the end of magnet 68. By means of this arrangement a substantial amount of any heat which may be genv erated in the coil H is transferred to the supporting panel 13 by conduction, thereby maintaining the coil and relay at a safe operating temperature. In this modification the contact springs I ha are stationary and are seated in narrow peripheral notches 11, formed in a stationary supporting plate 18, formed of insulation material and secured to the magnet legs 69 and 10. One side of plate 18 is preferably cut away on a circular arc as indicated at 19 in Fig. '7. The movable contact springs Ilia are cut away on their inner edges as indicated at 28a for the purpose of readily clearing the plate '18.

For the purpose of actuating the movable contact springs Illa, a contact spring actuating plate 80 is provided with a series of narrow slits 8! in its periphery, in which the outer ends of the contact springs Hla are seated. Plate 80 is preferably formed of molded insulation material, and molded into its rear surface is an armature 82 of the form shown in Figs. '7 and 9 and having an outwardly extending toe 83, adapted to be drawn towards pole-piece 69. At its rear end the armature is provided with a curved face 84 adapted for free rolling engagement along the flat surface of the magnet leg 70. Two spaced-apart tapered openings 85 are formed in the curved face 84 of the armature, into which are loosely fitted a pair of pins 85, which are secured in and extend a slight distance from magnet leg 70. The fit of these pins in the tapered holes 85 is such as to afiord a certain degree of support to the armature 82 on magnet leg H! but at the same time to permit a rolling movement of the armature on its curved face 84. In order to secure the armature in its proper operating position, it is provided with a notch or aperture 81 in which one end of a curved spring 88 presses the armature against the magnet leg lil, the right hand end of spring 88, '7, being in clamping engagement with the rear surface of the leg 70, as shown in Fig. 7. For the purpose of decreasing the mass and inertia of the actuating plate Bil, its opposite sides may be cut away to provide circular edges 89 as indicated in Fig. 7. Armature 82 is provided with a pin 98 which engages the magnet leg 69 to limit the return motion of the armature. By bending the pin 93 slightly, the extent of motion of the armature and actuating plate may be adjusted to a desired amount.

A number of relays similar to the one described may be mounted within a small space on the supporting panel 73, since the periphery of the stationary plate 18 of the next adjacent relay may be disposed clcse to and extend into the cutout portion 19 of the relay shown in Fig. 7. The provision of this cutout in each stationary plate 2'3 affords means whereby the relays may be spaced more closely together on the supporting panel. 7

In the operation of the relay described, the passage of an electrical current through coil 1| causes magnetic lines of force to pass through the magnet legs $9, 19, and armature 82, causing the toe piece 83 to be drawn over against the surface of leg 69. In this movement the face 84 of the armature has a rolling motion on the surface of magnet leg 19 with which it is in engagement, so that substantially no friction results from the motion of the armature. Since the armature is connected to contact spring actuating plate iii), this plate rotates and causes the ends of contact springs Illa to rotate through a small angle and engage the stationary contact springs Ha. The armature is so positioned on rotatable plate 80 that the axis of rotation of the plate coincides with the center of rotation of the armature on the surface of magnet leg 1!]. The stationar supporting plate 18 forms a backstop for the contact springs Ila and prevents them from following the contact springs iila and coming into engagement with the next adjacent set of contact springs which might result in the opening or closing of circuits not intended to be operated. While the armature has been shown connected to the front plate 89, it will be understood that it may be connected to the rear plate iii if desired, in which case the movable contact springs Hid would be connected to the periphery of this plate, which would be provided with a large central opening to clear the magnet legs 59, '50. The stationary contact springs Ha would be connected to the stationary front plate 86 which could be mounted on the outer ends of magnet legs 69 and Hi. In this form of the invention the contact springs are arranged in two oppositely disposed groups, one group at the top of the relay and the other group at the bot-tom.

Instead of providing the magnet leg 78 with pins such as for positioning the armature, this leg may be provided (see Figs. 10 and 11) with an elongated V-shaped aperture .9! adapted to receive a similar l-shaped projection 92 formed on armature 32' and which fits loosely therein. In this modification, the rear of the armature is provided with the two flat inclined faces 9m and Bib, the face Sic lying in contact with the surface of magnet leg it when the magnet is unenergized, as shown in Fig. 11. Upon passage of an electrical current through coil H, the toe 83 of the armature is drawn over against leg 69, the armature rotating about the rear edge 92' of projection 92 a a point of pivotal support until its face 9lb lies adjacent to the surface of magnet leg Ill. In this modification also, the center of rotation 92' of the armature is preferably arranged'to be in alignment with the axis of rotation of the contact spring actuating plate 80.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 is generally similar to that shown and described in connection with Figs. 7, 8 and 9 but is intended for the control of a few number of circuits, the sets of contact springs being arranged in a single group herein shown located at the bottom of the relay. For this purpose the relay base 65a is made lower, the straight ends 66a of the base extending up only to the middle of the relay and being connected by the circular peripheral face 93. Also, the rotatable contact spring actuating plate 80a and the stationary back stop plate 18a extend only a slight distance past the middle of the relay, being terminated in the fiat faces 94 and 95 respectively. In this modification the notch 8'! in the armature and spring 88 of Figs. 7 and 8 are omitted and the armature 82a is maintained in proper position against the pins 86a and with its front surface 84a in contact with the surface of magnet leg 10a by means of an adjustable screw 96 which engages a threaded bore 91 in magnet leg 69a. Screw 96 is so adjusted that it bears rather loosely against armature 82a so as not to interfere with its free movement under the action of the magnet. Screw 96 is preferably made of brass or other nonmagnetic material so as not to conduct the magnetic flux from the central portion of the armature to the magnet leg 69a and thereby possibly interfere with the proper operation of the relay. Passage of an electrical current through coil Ha causes armature 82a to roll along the surface of leg 10a and rotate the actuating plate 80a through a small angle, thereby causing the movable contact springs 10b to engage the fixed contact springs, l lb.

The modification shown in Figs. 12 to has the same general arrangement as that shown and described in connection with Fig. 4, the relay being supported on the panel 13 by a securing screw 15 in the manner above described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8. In this construction the back stop plate 18b for the fixed contact springs I I0 is secured to magnet leg 101), the movable contact springs Iflc being cut away, as indicated at 200, Fig. 15, so as to clear the stop plate 18b. The armature 82b extends forwardly of the movable contact spring actuating plate 801] and is preferably molded therein, the fixed contact springs llc being cut away, as indicated at 2nd, Fig. 15, so as to clear the plate 80b.

For the purpose of pivotally supporting the armature 82b and the plate 80b, the end of magnet leg Gllb is provided with a slot 98 adapted to receive one leg 99 of a generally U-shaped spring Hill which has its end bent, as indicated at lfll, to enter a small bore I02, Fig. 14, provided at the rear end of the slot 98. The end of magnet leg 18b is provided with a V-shaped slot 9!, Fig. 14, into which. extends a V-shaped projection 92, formed on the armature in the manner above described in connection with Figs. 10 and 11, the surface of the armature adjacent magnet leg 1% being provided with the inclined faces 9la and Bib. The other leg 99 of spring I00 has its end bent over at right angles, as indicated at I03 to freely enter a bore I04 provided in the left face of the armature, the point of engagement I05 of the end portion I03 of the spring with the armature being closely adjacent to the pivotal supporting edge 92 of the armature. The construction described provides the desirable advantages that substantially no motion of the spring I00 occurs during the motion of the armature and the friction is reduced to a minimum.

In this construction, in addition to the flat top face 94a, the side faces (06 of the contact spring actuating plate b may be formed straight and parallel, as shown in Fig. 13, curving out slightly at their lower ends, as shown. Also the center portion of plate 8% may be cut away, as shown, to provide a generally oval shaped opening I01 through which magnet leg 1% passes with an adequate amount of clearance. While the relay has been shown secured in a horizontal position on panel 13 with the body of armature 82b disposed at the left of its pivotal sup-porting edge 92", it will be understood that it is also operative when mounted with the armature body disposed above or below its point of pivotal support. Passage of an electrical current through coil Ha causes the armature 82b to rotate about its point of pivotal support 92' which is in alignment with the axis of rotation of the actuating plate 861), causing this plate to rotate through a small angle and move the movable contact springs lllc into engagement with the fixed contact springs Ilc.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but What I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a relay device, the combination comprising a first set of spaced apart contact springs, a second set of spaced apart contact springs disposed between the springs of the first set, an electromagnet, an armature mounted adjacent said electromagnet and means whereby movement of said armature in one direction actuates the first set of contact springs in one 1direction and the second set in an opposite direcion.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the armature is indirectly supported by both of the sets of contact springs.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which both sets of contact springs are arranged for rotation through a small angle.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the armature is supported for free translation toward the electromagnet.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which one end of the armature is loosely connected to a portion of the electromagnet.

6. A relay device comprising in combination, an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet, a first set of contact springs, a rotatable actuating plate in engagement with said contact springs, a second set of contact springs adapted to engage the springs of the first set, a second rotatable actuating plate in engagement with the contact springs of the second set, a connecting member having its ends in engagement with said actuating plates and a driving connection getween the armature and the connecting mern 7. A relay device as set forth in claim 6 in which the connecting member is arranged to rotate the actuating plates simultaneously in opposite directions.

8. A relay device as set forth in claim 6 in which the rotatable actuating plates are disposed in different planes and the connecting member is provided with projecting fingers in engagement with the actuating plates.

9. A relay device as set forth in claim 6 in which the rotatable actuating plates are formed of moldable insulation material and each actuating plate is provided with a metallic insert molded therein, said inserts being in engagement with the ends of the connecting member.

10. A relay device as set forth in claim 6 in which the rotatable actuating plates are provided with apertures and the connecting member is provided with fingers seated in said apertures.

11. A relay device comprising, in combination, a set of spaced apart contact springs, an actuating plate supported by said contact springs, a second set of contact springs disposed between those of the first set, a second actuating plate supported by the contact springs of the second set, and a single electromagnetic device arranged to simultaneously rotate said actuating plates through small angles in opposite directions.

12. A relay device comprising, in combination,

a set of spaced apart contact springs, an actuating plate supported by said contact springs, a second set of contact springs disposed between those of the first set, a second actuating plate supported by the contact springs of the second set, a connecting member having its opposite ends connected to substantially diametrically opposite points of said actuating plates and an electromagnetic device arranged to actuate said connecting member.

13. A relay device as set forth in claim 12 in which the electromagnetic device comprises an armature, and an adjustable screw connection between said armature and said connecting member whereby the extent of motion of the actuating plates may be readily varied.

14. A relay device comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a set of movable, spaced apart contact springs mounted on said base, an actuating plate secured to the ends of said contact springs and supported thereby, a second set of contact springs mounted on said base and disposed between those of the first set, an electromagnet mounted on said base and extending between said sets of contact springs and an armature disposed adjacent said electromagnet and arranged to rotate said actuating plate.

JOHN N. REYNOLDS. 

